Shoe-duster.



Patented May'l3, |902.

v1. a. MULLEN.

SHOE DUSTER. Application med Sept. 16, 1901.

(lo Ilddql.)

I. anqeul'om & mama;

Tn: Noam: maps (20., PMOTO-UTHO., WASHINGTON, n.

Nrrno STATES ATENT OFFICE.

WVILLIAM G. MULLEN, OF POMONA, CALIFORNIA.

SHOE-DUSTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 700,069, dated May 13, 1902.

Application filed'september 16,1901. Serial No. 75,521. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I,WILLIAM G. MULLEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at P0- mona,in the county of Los Angeles and" State of California, have inventednew and useful,

Improvements in Shoe-Dusters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to shoe-dusters, the object in View being to provide a simple,cheap, and eificient foot-operated machine whereby a person may without stooping or using the hands readily removedust and the like from his shoes or boots. The simplicity of construction of the machine avoids any liability of the same getting out of order, and the duster will be found of great utility and convenience in practice.

The invention consists in a shoe-duster embodying certain novel features and details of construction and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully described, illustrated, and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a shoe-duster constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a side perspective View of the same. 1

Similar numerals of reference designate like parts in both figures. y

In carrying out the present invention I employ a suitable base or support 1 in the form of a fiat plate or board to which any desired configuration may be given. Extending upward from the base 1 is an arched frame 2, the same being surmounted by an ornamental plate 3, upon which the name of the machine or any other desired matter may be represented. The plate 3 is provided with an upstanding lug 4, which forms a bearing for one end ofa horizontal operating-shaft 5, the opposite end of which is journaled in the upper end of a post or standard 6, secured at 7 to the base 1. v r

Superimposed upon the base 1 is a treadle 8, adapted to be operated by thefoot, the adjacent end of the treadle being covered by a wear-plate 9,0f metal,the same being extended beyond the adjacent edge of the treadle, where it is formed with knuckles 10, through which passes a hinge-pin or bolt 11, forming the fulcrum of the treadle. Said pin or bolt 11 has its opposite extremities received in the lower ends of the side portions of the arched frame 2. The treadle S is connected with the shaft 5 by means of a cord, tape, or other flexible connection 12,the same being wrapped around the shaft 5', as shown at 13, so that the shaft is revolved whenever the treadle is depressed.

The shaft 5 has mounted thereon, adjacent to its rear end, apulley or drum 14, to which is secured one end of a leaf-spring 15, the opposite end of which is connected with a stud 16 on the standard 6. The spring 15 is wound upon the drum or pulleyltt as the treadle 8 is depressed, and when the treadle is released the spring serves to retract or turn the shaft 5 in the opposite direction, thereby rewinding the cord or flexible connection 12 thereon.

At a point intermediate its ends the oscillatory shaft 5 has fast thereon an oscillatoryhead 17, provided with a series of peripheral sockets 18, into which are inserted the shanks or stems of a plurality of feather dusters or similar brushes 19, the length of which adapts them to travel successively and rapidly over the shoe for the purpose of removing dust, &c., therefrom.

The operator places his foot upon the treadle 8 and works the same up and down,with the result that the dusters or brushes 19 are rapidly revolved back and forth in contact with the shoe, the cord 12 serving to revolve the shaft 5 in one direction and the retractingspring 15 serving to impart a reverse movement to the shaft as the treadle is released and allowed to move upward.

The machine is simple and cheap in construction and will be found convenient and efficient in practice. It will also be apparent that the machine is susceptible of changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction, which may accordingly be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new,and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a shoe-duster, the combinatiou with a treadle, of an oscillatory shaft arranged above the treadle, an operative connection between the treadle and shaft for imparting motion tothe latter, and one or more brushes treadle and shaft, a spring for retracting or 10 or dusters connected with said shaft and l reversing the direction of rotation of the adapted to be thrown into contact with the shaft, and an oscillatory head on said shaft shoe while the foot is resting on the treadle. I provided with one or more dusting-brushes.

5 2. In ashoe-(luster the combination with T I t a suitable base, and a frame extending up- ILLIAM MULLEN' ward therefrom, of a treadle mounted on the Witnesses: base, an oscillatory shaft jonrnaled in the GEORGE BECK,

frame, a flexible connection between the XVM. F. ROMINE. 

